Day 2 Vega

[markjohnson]

About 20 years ago, I purchased the 12 bolt rear axle out of a Motion Vega station wagon being parted out. I can still recall giving $150 dollars for the rear axle at night time while looking at the rusty shell of the wagon sitting on its belly behind a mobile, uh . . . . I mean a skirted home. Anyway, it was a pretty cool piece with a 4-series carrier, GM 4.56 gear set, a C-clip eliminator kit that used GM Olds or Pontiac retainers and big car 11-inch brake drums. I also remember it being strange in the fact that it was a 1972 casting date, leaf spring housing. I know that Chevrolet wasn't putting 12 bolts in leaf spring Camaros/Novas in 1972 so I assumed it was an over-the-counter housing that Motion used as a starting point. I even tried for several months to find a decent Vega to stick it in, but even 20 years ago they were getting hard to find. It's hard to tell in your pics, but does your 12 bolt have the 11-inch brakes?

[Hemicolt]

Yes,they are the 11" for a Ford 9" from Strange Engineering. I forgot my camara and used my daugthers I-phone for the pictures. Tried to edit, but I can't make them any bigger.

[Postsedan]

Tracy,

Look.....

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cto/3388626559.html

Dan

[Hemicolt]

Car looks good. Not to sure on that price though.

[Hemicolt]

I got the front suspension installed this morning.

[Hemicolt]

Made it down to Coker and picked up the tires.

[Hemicolt]

..

[motionwannabe]

What size Cragars and tires do you have on the front? I have 15x8 Cragars with H50 Mickey Thompsons on the rear of my Vega. I just bought a set of F-70-15 Mickey Thompsons for the front . Just trying to figure what width and height tire works well.Thanks for any advice you can lend my way.

[mr.4speed]

looks awesome! tracy you do stellar work! keep em coming

[motionwannabe]

Sorry I have H70 15 Mickey Thompsons on the rear not H50's

[Hemicolt]

Fronts are 15 x 4.5 wide. Tires are Pro Trac 560/15.

http://www.cokertire.com/560-15-pro-trac-front-runner.html

If you look at the Todds red car here http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/504889/Side_pipes_yes_or_no#Post504889
,you can see the same size tire on the car.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: motionwannabe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What size Cragars and tires do you have on the front? I have 15x8 Cragars with H50 Mickey Thompsons on the rear of my Vega. I just bought a set of F-70-15 Mickey Thompsons for the front . Just trying to figure what width and height tire works well.Thanks for any advice you can lend my way.
</div></div>

[Hemicolt]

Thank you.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mr.4speed</div><div class="ubbcode-body">looks awesome! tracy you do stellar work! keep em coming </div></div>

[motionwannabe]

Thanks for the info. I just completed the 5lug spindle change over and front suspension change on ours. Isnt it a blast putting the coil springs back in?? I thought it was miserable. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hemicolt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Fronts are 15 x 4.5 wide. Tires are Pro Trac 560/15.

http://www.cokertire.com/560-15-pro-trac-front-runner.html

If you look at the Todds red car here http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/504889/Side_pipes_yes_or_no#Post504889
,you can see the same size tire on the car.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: motionwannabe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What size Cragars and tires do you have on the front? I have 15x8 Cragars with H50 Mickey Thompsons on the rear of my Vega. I just bought a set of F-70-15 Mickey Thompsons for the front . Just trying to figure what width and height tire works well.Thanks for any advice you can lend my way.
</div></div> </div></div>

[Hemicolt]

Did you use a standard spring compressor the way pictured here?
Works good on just about any car. Remove the top hook block and only use the threaded bottom block. Slide the shaft through the shock hole and screw on the block and hooks. Simply slide the spring over the tool and use the top shock mount to compress the spring. Took me about 5 min. per side.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: motionwannabe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the info. I just completed the 5lug spindle change over and front suspension change on ours. Isnt it a blast putting the coil springs back in?? I thought it was miserable. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hemicolt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Fronts are 15 x 4.5 wide. Tires are Pro Trac 560/15.

http://www.cokertire.com/560-15-pro-trac-front-runner.html

If you look at the Todds red car here http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/504889/Side_pipes_yes_or_no#Post504889
,you can see the same size tire on the car.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: motionwannabe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What size Cragars and tires do you have on the front? I have 15x8 Cragars with H50 Mickey Thompsons on the rear of my Vega. I just bought a set of F-70-15 Mickey Thompsons for the front . Just trying to figure what width and height tire works well.Thanks for any advice you can lend my way.
</div></div> </div></div> </div></div>

[Hemicolt]

.

[motionwannabe]

We used one like that but it wasn't strong enough and broke.

[Hemicolt]

Hope no one was hurt when that happened.
The tool I used is a good quality piece. Some of the stuff sold today is china look-a-like crap that has metal with plastic qualities.
But I know I'm preaching to the choir.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: motionwannabe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We used one like that but it wasn't strong enough and broke. </div></div>

[motionwannabe]

Noone got hurt Thank God!!! When I got the car it had a small block in it with 4cyl. springs and 4 lug wheels with 13in tires on the front. In the rear it had 14x10 5lug Cragar S/S.The front shocks were blown!!! It rode like a boat and it got scary really quick.The previous owner had a serious death wish. I have since added an adjustable panhard bar and trailing arms from UMI Performance, 2x4 box tubing that runs on both sides from the forward edge of each rear wheel house up to the front wheel well/apron.I also did the Gbody 5lug front spindle swap with the &quot;Bob Gumm&quot; spacers Changed the car completely!! It was slightly twisted from having no bracing. The previous owner bought a hooker V8 conversion kit and cut the mount pads off the front yoke (the one that bolts around the crank and timing cover) and used the old 4cly mounts all rigged up to barely fit. The Hooker headers were hacked and whacked. So I bought new ones off Dr. Cas on the H.Body site. I bought an L88 Hood from FiberConcepts who now own the old Legendary Glass &quot;Motion&quot; Molds. I also got Patriot 3.5inch sidepipes which look awesome and sound great. By the way, How did you make out on the seat upholstery? How pricey was it? My car is a hatchback and I need to get the rear seat reupholstered. The front seats stitching it starting to pull loose and Im gonna need to do both buckets very shortly.

[Hemicolt]

The V8 Vega I had when I was 16 was about like that. At 90 the rearend felt like it was bouncing the car off the ground..lol
What a p.o.s.

Seat material was cheap. I may have got enough to do two interiors. If your not in a hurry, we can do something on the remainder.

[motionwannabe]

Ok. Im in no hurry. Let me know when you figure it out.

[Hemicolt]

I'm going to install one of the GM low coolant sensors and decided against using the crimp style, pipe fitting that came with the kit, so I machined one that welded on the radiator.

[markinnaples]

Nice welds...

[motionwannabe]

Looks great

[mockingbird812]

Pretty!

[Hemicolt]

Thank you.
It's rolling!

[motionwannabe]

Looks great!!!!

[flyingn]

wow. Looks nice..... You do nice work

[Hemicolt]

Thanks guys.
Got it out in the sun today.

[Hemicolt]

I bit the bullet and picked up the Motion headers today.

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Getting them coated? White or black?

[Hemicolt]

White.
Each tube has JR HEADERS stamped on them.

[Hemicolt]

The outside heater box needed to be cut down quite a bit to clear the BBC. The problem with this is the heater core that mounts to the inner heater box, sticks out past the firewall 2 inches.

What I came up with is to move the inner heater box toward the inside of the car, so it will bring the core toward the inside of the car.
This was done by fabbing 18 gauge strips with a 90 degree lip and adding them to the inside box.

[Postsedan]

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

Dan

[Hemicolt]

Thanks. It's about ready to paint.

[MosportGreen66]

Your work is fantastic but please don't use those cheesy valve covers on this very cool build! I have an original set of Motion valve covers with emblems if you're interested.

Dan

[Hemicolt]

Thanks.
Those covers went on a friends car, I just set them on there for the picture.
I have a set of CP covers that I am going to install a set of the repop emblems on. But I would love to have an original set if I can swing it. Can you post some pictures?

Thanks again

[Hemicolt]

.

[markinnaples]

I LOVE those velocity stacks. Do they have the air cleaner built in?

[Igosplut]

I just sold an intake identical to that one.

Nice job on the car BTW.

[Hemicolt]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: markinnaples</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I LOVE those velocity stacks. Do they have the air cleaner built in? </div></div>


The stacks are the ones that Mr. Gasket still offers. No air cleaners.

[MosportGreen66]

PM sent Tracy.

Thanks,
Dan

[Hemicolt]

Worked on the car a little and fitted the Motion headers. I'm going to have to do a little tweaking, but overall they fit better than the Hooker headers. They can be installed one tube at a time with the engine bolted in place. This will be nice when it comes time for final assembly. No more having to hold the headers in place while lowering the engine in.
The steering shaft will run through the headers, so there will be no need for three steering joints and running it on the inner wheel house.
Also, I should point out that the Motion headers do not require the two rear tubes on the pass. side to run out through the wheel house, so turning radius will not be affected.

BTW, a while back the question was asked about these being real Motion headers. Looking in my V8 Vega book that Schorr wrote, there is a picture of the driver side header, not installed on the car. It's an exact match to what I have.

[Hemicolt]

I decided to make my own firewall pad, since there isn't one being offered. It was pretty simple. After making a cardboard pattern of the firewall and all hole locations, it was transfered to a 1/8&quot; thick rubber sheeting. Before cutting the holes out, I used 3M trim glue and attached a piece of 3/8&quot; thick jute material to the back of the rubber sheeting.

[Postsedan]

Tracy,

Look`n good <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dan

[Hemicolt]

Thanks.
I installed the pad today and all the holes lined up good.
Also duplicated the original brake lines and installed them.

[Hemicolt]

Brake lines.

[mockingbird812]

Sharp Tracy!

[brent396]

Great fab work <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[dboles]

I have really enjoyed this post!

Back in'75 I built a '72 GT hatchback up with the drive train from a '68 Z/28. I even narrowed the original &quot;BV&quot; rear end. I used a Don Hardy kit for the engine install.

I wish you would drop your body over a full tube chassis with a 4 link rear suspension. With the setup you have I see a broken windshield the first time you dump the clutch. (The body will twist up like a pretzel) Over time the rear suspension arms will rip themselves out of the unit body.

Don't ask me how I know this. I did it with a stock &quot;MO&quot; 302 and a M21.

Best of luck, Dave

[daverd]

Mabe the motion headers should be
Copied ?
How do you like the speedway motors
Master cinder??alumnum looks
Like a good piece .....

[Fast67VelleN2O]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dboles</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

I wish you would drop your body over a full tube chassis with a 4 link rear suspension. </div></div>

I think you're missing the overall picture here on this build.

[Hemicolt]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fast67VelleN2O</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dboles</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

I wish you would drop your body over a full tube chassis with a 4 link rear suspension. </div></div>

I think you're missing the overall picture here on this build. </div></div>

Yeah, I don't plan on side stepping the clutch....lol

[Hemicolt]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: daverd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mabe the motion headers should be
Copied ?
How do you like the speedway motors
Master cinder??alumnum looks
Like a good piece ..... </div></div>

I've actually thought about building a fixture for them.
We have installed a few of these on customers cars and haven't had any problems. I don't care for the chrome cover though and plan on finding an original type for it.

[dboles]

Yes, Not side steppin' is good!

[Hemicolt]

After looking at several gas tanks painted silver, I decided to try something different. After finshing the body work and applying the primer, I painted the tank using Rustoleums silver hammertone. After that, three coats of flat clear finished it off. It's hard to tell in the pictures, but the flat hammer tone has a galvanized look.

[chevyman0429]

I did the exact same thing on some suspension parts and was amazed how well they turned out.The hammer paint kills great!

[elonblock]

Nice touch. Looks great!

[markinnaples]

Wow, that looks nice. Very clean work.

[mockingbird812]

Sharp work Tracy. Never knew the Vegas had the off set gas tank. Probably conducive to a better launch placing more weight over the r/r tire!

[Lynn]

Looks like you glued long strips of rubber to the tank straps so as not to chafe the tank. Is that correct?

[Hemicolt]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lynn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Looks like you glued long strips of rubber to the tank straps so as not to chafe the tank. Is that correct? </div></div>


It's actually thick roofing paper. Not exact, but very close to what I pulled off of it.

[Hemicolt]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mockingbird812</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sharp work Tracy. Never knew the Vegas had the off set gas tank. Probably conducive to a better launch placing more weight over the r/r tire! </div></div>


Thanks guys.
With the NMW battery box in the rear, I will have to add more air to that shock..lol

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Did you box the upper control arms or are they stock unboxed?

[Hemicolt]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fast67VelleN2O</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Did you box the upper control arms or are they stock unboxed? </div></div>


I boxed them. The lowers are boxed because the car came with a sway bar.

[Hemicolt]

Every since installing the Motion headers, I've been wanting to make a set of front motor plates like the ones Motion sold.
Going by the pictures in the Motion Vega book, I made an Auto Cad drawing and had the pieces laser cut.

[Xplantdad]

Looks good!

[Hemicolt]

Thank you.
Finally got the headers done. They turned out great.

[mockingbird812]

Nice looking! What is the finish?

[Hemicolt]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mockingbird812</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice looking! What is the finish? </div></div>

Mike at M&amp;R Coatings in Kodak, Tennessee done them.
He puts on a layer of the standard silver ceramic coating and bakes it on. Then he
applies two coats of the white and bakes them again. Only charges 275.00 and that
included him blasting them.

[markjohnson]

I love me some white headers!

[Hemicolt]

Got some experience yesterday measuring for push rod length. I already had a set of new, Morel lifters and the seat height was around .900 higher than a standard lifter. It was very educational seeing how slight changes in push rod length will change the travel pattern and distance across the valve tip.
After they come in, all that will remain will be installing the timing cover and oil pan, cleaning up and installing the tunnel ram and then it's dyno time.

[Hemicolt]

Picked this up yesterday. The guy was very fair on the price.
Now that I got the Camaro out the door, I can get back on this thing.

[Postsedan]

Last post 4/26/13.....any updates?

Dan

[427Vega]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Postsedan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Last post 4/26/13.....any updates?

Dan </div></div>

I noticed He is not around at all so I called and left a message last week,no word yet.

[Postsedan]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Vega</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Postsedan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Last post 4/26/13.....any updates?

Dan </div></div>

I noticed He is not around at all so I called and left a message last week,no word yet. </div></div>

Brian,

Please keep us posted.

Dan

[Hemicolt]

I'm still around. Have been really under the weather for a while and not done much to the car. That and my son playing baseball has cut into car time. Did get the fuel lines made over the weekend.

[427Vega]

Hang in there Tracy!Get Well.

[PeteLeathersac]

Hope you're on the mend too!

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[Hemicolt]

Engine is together, valves adjusted, etc.
Found a couple of sets of AC 44XLS, green striped plugs.

[mockingbird812]

Great looking engine! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/laugh.gif

[Hemicolt]

Got the line lock installed and made the lines. Also mounted the coil and rev limiter.

[mr.4speed]

looking good! very clean work!

[Hemicolt]

Jacobs/Clifford box.

[Postsedan]

Tracy,

Looking nice....keep the pics coming.

Dan

[napa68]

Any updates?

[Hemicolt]

He has it for sale:
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/4042441296.html

Great buy.

[Hemicolt]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hemicolt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">He has it for sale:
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/4042441296.html

Great buy. </div></div>


Whoops!!
Posted this reply to the wrong thread. My car isn't for sale...lol
Nothing new as of right now. Busy working on customers projects.

[Postsedan]

Look.....

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?ln=60&amp;aid=524

Dan

[Hemicolt]

Finally got the engine to the dyno today. We will run it next week.

[Hemicolt]

We finally got time to beat on the engine today.
606 h.p @ 5800, 582 ft lbs @ 5000.

[Postsedan]

Tracy,

Those are strong numbers.....you should be proud <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dan

[Hemicolt]

Thanks.
The heads that Shepard prepared are the ticket.

[Hemicolt]

A friend of mine, who manages a parts store, informed me that he can order cad coated calipers. Looks a lot better than painted.
The rubber supports for the e-brake cables were toast, so I made new ones today.

[mr.4speed]

Nice!

[brent396]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hemicolt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thank you.
Finally got the headers done. They turned out great.</div></div> Wow nice job Tracy on your headers .What size are your primary tubes 2&quot; or 2 1/8 <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[Hemicolt]

Thanks. They are 2 1/8&quot;

[Hemicolt]

Finally working on the car again. The seats have been covered and are ready to install. After the engine is installed for the final time, I will get the seats in as well as the rest of the interior. All the plastic pieces have been painted also.
I posted some pictures of the Ansen traction bars in another thread, but will also attach them here. After doing some cleaning, they appear to have never been installed or used.

[Lynn]

Every time I read another post on this thread, I start thinking I want a day two Vega.
Very cool. Of course, to build it right, like you are, is really a labor of love. Don't know that I would be up to it. But I love seeing your progress.

Keep the pics coming.

[CDNL-78]

Tracy,

Looks amazing. Can't wait to see this wagon finished up. You'll have to do a utube vid and post a link here for us all when your completed.

Thanks for the advice on my project to..... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[mr.4speed]

Congrats to Tracy on his vega wheel and tire story in this months musclecar review! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[Hemicolt]

Thank you. I forgot about that until you mentioned it. A member on the Hbody forum posted a picture. Guess I will be going to the book store tonight..lol

[daverd]

Congratulations !!!!

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif

[Postsedan]

Tracy,

It's been awhile ......any updates <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dan